Howard Hodgkin: Painting India

Last Friday evening I attended the opening party of the Howard Hodgkin exhibition at the Hepworth Wakefield. The exhibition features over 35 works painted over a career lasting 50 years.

Regarded as one of Britain’s leading contemporary painters, the works explore his lifelong love affair with India. The vibrant and colourful paintings are an emotional response to the sights, sounds, smells and experiences of his many visits to the country.

Photographs, documents, press clippings, writings from friends and some paintings from his personal collection of Indian art flesh out the man behind the work.

The opening party featured traditional Indian music from Avtar Lota, Indian street food and an Indian themed menu in the café. I tucked into the the chicken curry. Very tasty.

The evening proved another success for the Hepworth and for those that didn’t make it I recommend a visit to the exhibition.

Oh, and I also managed to squeeze in a few sketches.